I walk with a limp, haven't had any physio ( been waiting for appointment) yet and have started doing my exercises in the local golf club pool. I walk every day, at least 3 miles, but have a really sore bum and groin. Tried to kneel down and the pain was awful. I had hoped to go back to work soon, but can't sit for long in the car ( journey to work over an hour). Dr wants me to have another two months off! Please let me know if this is all normal- oh, still sleeping on my back with a pillow under my legs, it's the only way I can get any sleep. Grateful for any advice!
Hi Kate,
I am a physio and am 10 weeks post op. Everyone will improve at a different rate but you will improve. You don't mention whether you are still using crutches/sticks or whether you are taking regular pain relief. As you get more active the muscles that have wasted or not activated will ache when you start to use them now (they weren't able to work when your hip was in a bad way) and the soft tissue particularly around the groin that has been shortened through lack of movement will need to be stretched through movement. My advice would be to keep up regular analgesia, stay as active as you can, stretch regularly and find some non impact exercise equipment at the gym (cross trainer, stair climber etc) and really go for it. I've been lucky and was in the gym and pool after 3 weeks and walked up a mountain after 7. I'm back at work and pretty much pain free. The pain you are feeling isn't telling you something is wrong with your hip, it's telling you that something was wrong and now you need to work with your new hip to fix it. Good luck.
Kate, everyone is different! If you have pain and limp, throttle back! You are going to fast! I would use a cane until you can walk without a limp
Hi Kate
I'm 13 wks p.o. today. I've still got swollen ankle, groin pain, bum pain and still walking with a limp. I have a physical job, I know, I wouldn't be able to do at this time. I'm just going to keep up with my exercises and believe all hippies on here & my physio. It will get better with time. We just have to be patient
Brenda xx
Hi Brenda
Thank you! Feeling fragile and pathetic, I shall just wait for the physio to get in contact and carry on with the exercises. Do you still get teary?
Kate
Thanks Debbie
Will take you're advise and check back. Just so tired of the pain . X
Hi Kate,
I was lucky I never had that side effect. Xx
Thanks Derek
I stopped pain relief and walking aid after 7 weeks. At the moment back on the pain relief while I wait for an appointment with physio.
Will take a look at the gym equipment tomorrow.
Kate
Pain relief and walking aids help you to move in a normal manner which is how you will improve. Please use them as required and let your body tell you when you don't need the, not the calendar. Feeling teary is quite normal too. You've been through a traumatic experience.
Doesn't sound normal to me, but you are doing a lot of walking . If you are walking with a limp are you using both crutches ? . If not go back to two until you walk without a limp .i am 17 days . Very little pain , doing my exercises 3 times a day , and just walking around the garden . Pain in groin , when I lift the knee on op side , otherwise pretty good . I have has a
physi visit my home and another booked for 2 weeks . Surprised you haven't had that .
good luck Pam x
Thanks Derek, this all makes perfect sense ! I just expect too much of myself and need to reign back.
Kate
Hi Kate, I am currently 10 weeks post op. My pain isn't awful, but I do still get pain. Lately I think I have overdone it again and have been hurting some. I also am still sleeping on my back, just have a hard time on my side or stomach only a couple of minutes and the pain starts in. I also use the pillow under my legs. I was hoping to be able to sleep in another position soon, but doesn't look like that is going to happen. Also having another thr in 12 more days, so here I go more time on my back. Hope you get some much needed rest soon...Barb
Hi Derek. Good to hear your comments. I'm at 10 weeks. Had a thr and bone graft to shape my hip due to dysplaysia. Also have joint hyper mobility. I am not on meds as they are only needed about once a week when it's too sore. Walk around the house with no cane. Long walks I use 1 crutch and just out and about I use my cane. Was getting despondent as I thought I'd have less pain and be able to do more by now. Started off great but haven't really progressed since at 6 weeks. I'll keep up with my exercise and bike. Thanks
Hi Kate. I also still have pain. Still use pillows to sleep. I'm at 10 weeks. Went back to work at 9 weeks but think that was a mistake. Need the pay tho. Listen to yr body and yr dr. Go yr own pace.
Oh Barb - sure wish you were sleeping better by now. Keep in touch with your 2nd thr. I am a month after you with mine and sleering a bit bether (managing 2-3 hours at a strench at times). BUT still not as smooth walking and other activities as I hoped a monto ago.
Good luck and sweet dreams.
L.
Hi Denise
i've just got in from a short walk. Used my stick and felt more comfortable.
I can walk around the house in aided - that's all about familiarity and confidence, we're llacking the latter when we venture outside!
i too started of well, I recon it's because I'm trying to do too much.....
Hi Denise
have decided to work at my pace and try not to worry about work. At 61 I've earned the right to wind back! This is the hip that will see me out so I've got to think of myself first. I'm also fortunate to be paid while off sick- I know that's a luxury nowadays.
I started physical therapy the same week as my surgery and i was back to work in 5 weeks (I'm a pharmacy tech and on my feet all day)
Hello Denise79180,
I also have dysplasia that apparently want diagnosed when I was a baby. Is your dysplasia congenital? I'm scheduled for my first hip replacement in a month. I'm afraid both hips will need replacing. Do you have dysplasia in both hips? This is all so new to me.